Suggested Reading Lists

Readings for the Graphic Novel Discussion Group

Note:The suggested items below are ones that fit a certain month’s topic and were available in our catalog prior to the meeting date of that month. The items may no longer be in LFPL’s catalog at this time. As well, the lists are not meant to be comprehensive but as a guide for those who may not have a title in mind for a meeting.

Retcon (or Retroactive Continuity)is the changing of some past event in a comic by a current plot line. It typically involves some kind of alteration or nullification of the previously understood continuity. However, a clever retcon will fit seamlessly with the past continuity though the understanding of events will change.

Reboot (or Continuity Reboot) is when previously established continuity is ignored in part or completely. Some feel that rather than the old continuity being destroyed, the comic simply recounts the tales of an alternate universe version of the same characters. This interpretation is generally not accepted by the publisher as that comic is now put forward as the new continuity with the older version ceasing to exist.

Rebrand (or Retool)is when a character changes without the rest of the continuity itself changing. It may be as simple as a costume change, more general as a new set of powers, or as complicated as a total change of the character’s identity. There may be no good reason for the change, other than for marketing purposes.

More terms to consider:

Continuity is the accumulated history of a character or shared universe that is accepted by the publisher and the community of readers. It is often coherent in the way that a life story seems to be. This means that there may be odd stories or character quirks that exist but are explained or ignored in favor of consistency.

Legacy characters are ones who take on the identity of a previously established character. Often this is due to the age, disability, or death of the original character.

December 11, 2017 – The Runaways by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona

For a list of The Runaway titles available at the Library, click here.

Usually, it is a horror title that has some kind of non-human creature (demons, vampires, werewolves, giant-sized animals, human-animal hybrids, mummies, etc.) as a main character. Often they are different from the superhero comic where the character looks like a monster (the Beast from X-Men comics) though some superhero comics can be monster comics if the story is about how the monster deals with ostracism, being hunted, body horror, etc. (the Incredible Hulk).

For a list of comics with monster themes at the Library, please click here.

Ripped from the pages of New Avengers, the Eisner Award-winning team of Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev present an explosive hidden story of Marvel’s secret past, the secret history of Marvel’s most secret team – how they came together and how they are ripped apart. Plus: Spidey’s got a new lease on life, new powers and a new costume, courtesy of his new best friend Tony Stark. So what could possibly …More

Captain America has fallen into a clash with his government and his friends, and the people close to him are paying the price. The life of Cap’s girlfriend, Agent 13, is torn apart as her superiors use her divided loyalties against her. Elsewhere, a new villain emerges; the Red Skull begins to make himself known; and the Winter Soldier again comes face-to-face with Cap. But which side will he …More

Two tales of suspense ripped from the pages of Civil War! Captain America has fallen into a clash with his government and his friends, and the people close to him are paying the price. The life of Cap’s girlfriend, Agent 13, is torn apart as her superiors use her divided loyalties against her. Elsewhere, a new villain emerges; the Red Skull begins to make himself known; and the Winter Soldier …More

The superhuman registration act has been signed into law – sides are being chosen – but what side do our former villains fall on? Well… their identities are already public knowledge – and they sure can get good publicity by hunting down renegade heroes, so… time for the T-Bolts to kick some spandex butt! Plus: Zemo and Songbird? When did that happen? A new base, a new mission statement, and a …More

One member of the Fantastic Four lies hospitalized, a casualty of the Civil War that has fragmented the superhuman community. Amid the tumult and tensions, the Fantastic Four break up. Who will toe the line, who will join the resistance, and who will leave the battlefield altogether? …More

Wilson Fisk, the incarcerated ex-Kingpin of Crime, has a deal to propose to Iron Man: He’ll use his underworld connections to help track down Captain America and his anti-Registration underground in exchange for consideration on his sentence. This volume collects “Civil War: War Crimes” and “Underworld” issues #1-#5. Older teens. …More

The War has begun, sides have been chosen, and the die has been cast! With the repercussions of recent events in Civil War spreading across the Marvel Universe, see how every action can have enormous consequences – even in Peter Parker’s life. Collects Sensational Spider-Man #28-34. …More

As the public turns against Marvel’s heroes, the gears of Civil War threaten to crush Brian K. Vaughan’s Runaways. But when Allan Heinberg’s Young Avengers offer their assistance, how can the Runaways believe they’re on the same side? Don’t miss this Civil War tie-in that promises to have lasting repercussions for both popular teams! Collects Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways #1-4. …More

The Civil War is on, and no book is more affected than New Avengers. The Avengers are about to go to war over their beliefs, and the shake-up will shock fans. This volume collects “New Avengers” issues #21-#25. Young adult. …More

There’s a truth buried deep in the heart of every war, and reporters SallyFloyd and Ben Urich will be there, uncovering that truth in the midst of the biggest conflagration in the Marvel Universe! In the wake of the Stamford disaster, the public cries out for super-hero registration. Are the costumed heroes of the Marvel Universe protectors or ticking time bombs? And in “Civil War …More

Life couldn’t be more complicated – or more dangerous – for Peter Parker. After rushing to the aftermath of the Stamford Massacre, he travels with Tony Stark to Washington, D.C., where the enactment of the Superhuman Registration Act appears imminent. As the Marvel Universe braces for the implications of legislation that will forever change the societal status of super heroes, Peter is forced to …More

As the Marvel Universe braces for the implications of legislation that will forever change the societal status of super heroes, Peter Parker is forced to make an important personal decision–maybe the most important decision of his life. …More

Civil War is encompassing the entire Marvel Universe, and the effects of the war are being felt by every hero, villain, and civilian. This volume collects “Winter Soldier: Winter Kills, Civil War: Choosing Sides, Civil War: The Return,” and “She-Hulk” #8. Young adult. …More

In the aftermath of the Stamford tragedy, Logan makes it his personal mission to take down the man responsible. No sooner does he begin his hunt, however, than he discovers someone else is stalking the same prey: a mysterious trio whose identity, and disturbing mission, will come as a shock to many! If Logan’s unsettled by who these guys are, then just wait until he discovers who they answer to! …More

Enough is enough! The tension between the X-Men, the 198 and the O*N*E* has finally reached a breaking point. As Civil War rips apart the Marvel Universe, the X-Men also find themselves crumbling from the inside out. Will they admit defeat, or will they finally start to fight back? Collects Civil War: X-Men #1-4. …More

Hot on the heels of both smash hits “House of M” and “Son of M,” Quicksilver returns. But is he friend or foe? Complicating matters even more, the divisiveness of Civil War has spread to X-Factor. Its Jamies choice that may well decide whether X-Factor stays together or cracks apart. This volume collects “Cable & Deadpool” #30-#32, and “X-Factor” #8-#9. Older teens. …More

The death of Captain America! Leaping from the final pages of Civil War, this is the biggest Cap story that Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting have yet to tell – guaranteed to stun readers and send shockwaves through the entire Marvel Universe for the next year! As repercussions ripple outward, the Winter Soldier finally chooses a side, after the Civil War has ended – his own. But what are the Red Skull …More

The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll’s House (New Edition): New EditionByGaiman, NeilAuthor VariousIllustrator Dringenberg, Mike2010-10 – Vertigo9781401227999Check Our CatalogNew York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman’s transcendent series SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision.During Morpheus’s…More

The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country (New Edition)ByGaiman, NeilIllustrator VariousIllustrator Jones, Kelley2010-10 – Vertigo9781401229351Check Our CatalogThe third Sandman collection is a series of four short comic book stories. In each of these otherwise unrelated stories, Morpheus serves only as a minor character. One of these stories won the World Fantasy Award for best short story, the first time a comic book was given that honor. …More

Season of MistByGaiman, NeilIllustrator Jones, KelleyIllustrator Dringenberg, Mike2011-02 – Vertigo9781401230425Check Our CatalogVolume Four of New York Times best selling author Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed creation, with updated coloring and new trade dress.Ten thousand years ago, Morpheus condemned a woman who loved him to Hell. Now the other members of his immortal family, The Endless, have convinced the Dream King that this was an injustice. To make it right, Morpheus must return to Hell to rescue his banished love — …More

Fables and ReflectionsByGaiman, Neil2011-09 – Vertigo9781401231231Check Our Catalog/Neil Gaiman From the mists of the past to the nightmares of the present, Neil Gaiman’s THE SANDMAN touches the lives of kings and knaves, explorers, storytellers, monsters and children. This collection of short tales explores historical figures from Augustus Caesar to Marco Polo, from The Arabian Nights to Revolutionary France. Third p …More

World’s EndByGaiman, NeilIllustrator Talbot, BryanIllustrator Watkiss, John2012-02 – Vertigo9781401234027Check Our CatalogReminiscent of the legendary Canterbury Tales, THE SANDMAN: WORLDS’ END is a wonderful potpourri of engrossing tales and masterly storytelling. Improbably caught in a June blizzard, two wayward compatriots stumble upon a mysterious inn and learn that they are in the middle of a “reality storm.” Now surrounded by a menagerie of people and creatures from different times and realities, the two …More

The Kindly OnesByGaiman, Neil2012-05 – Vertigo9781401235451Check Our CatalogHere’s the latest in Vertigo’s award-winning series. The Lord of Dreams has killed his own son and now must face the consequences as his fate becomes entwined with the Kindly Ones, primal powers who revenge blood debts. Full-color illustrations. Graphic novel format. Suggested for mature readers. …More

WakeByGaiman, Neil2012-11 – Vertigo9781401237547Check Our CatalogThis paperback edition of the final Sandman graphic novel brings the saga to a conclusion with appearances from everyone who is everyone in the world of the graphic novel. …More

The Sandman: OvertureByGaiman, NeilIllustrator Williams, JH, III2015-11 – Vertigo9781401248963Check Our Catalog#1 “NEW YORK TIMES” BESTSELLERTwenty-five years since THE SANDMAN first changed the landscape of modern comics, Neil Gaiman’s legendary series is back in a deluxe editionTHE SANDMAN: OVERTURE heralds “New York Times” best-selling writer Neil Gaiman’s return to the art form that made him famous, ably abetted by artistic luminary JH Williams III (BATWOMAN, PROMETHEA),…More

In the vein of “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men,” Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author Hedges and American Book Award-winning cartoonist Sacco bring a searing on-the-ground report on the crisis gripping underclass America. …More

From the great cartoonist-reporter comes a sweeping, original investigation of a forgotten crime in the most tormented of places. Spanning 50 years and moving fluidly between one war and the next, “Footnotes in Gaza” captures the essence of a tragedy. …More

When bombs are falling and western journalism is the only game left in town, local “fixers” sell war correspondents the human tragedy and moral outrage that makes news editors back home happy. American Book Award winner Sacco goes behind the scene of war correspondence to reveal the anatomy of the big scoop. …More

The Great War: July 1, 1916: The First Day of the Battle of the SommeBySacco, Joe2013-11 – W. W. Norton & Company9780393088809Check Our Catalog

Launched on July 1, 1916, the Battle of the Somme has come to epitomize the madness of the First World War. Almost 20,000 British soldiers were killed and another 40,000 were wounded that first day, and there were more than one million casualties by the time the offensive halted. In The Great War, acclaimed cartoon journalist Joe Sacco depicts the events of that day in an extraordinary, …More

War cartoonist Sacco visits the Bosnian conflict to uncover the stories that are often ignored or uncovered by traditional media and gives the reader an inside peek at the darkly humorous news process. …More

January 2016 – Dystopian Narratives in Comics

Akira, Volume 1ByOtomo, Katsuhiro2009-10 – Kodansha Comics9781935429005Check Our Catalog Welcome to Neo-Tokyo, built on the ashes of a Tokyo annihilated by a blast of unknown origin that triggered World War III. The lives of two streetwise teenage friends, Tetsuo and Kaneda, change forever when paranormal abilities begin to waken in Tetsuo, making him a target for a shadowy agency that will stop at nothing to prevent another catastrophe like the one that leveled Tokyo. At the core of …More

Attack on Titan 1ByIsayama, Hajime2012-06 – Kodansha Comics9781612620244Check Our Catalog Humanity’s numbers have been decimated, and the remaining population lives inside an immense walled city to protect them from the monstrous and mysterious titans in this bestselling manga series that marries “The Passage” and “The Walking Dead.” …More

East of West, Volume 1: The PromiseByHickman, JonathanIllustrator Dragotta, Nick2013-09 – Image Comics9781607067702Check Our Catalog .This is the world. It is not the one we wanted, but it is the one we deserved. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse roam the Earth, signaling the End Times for humanity, and our best hope for life, lies in DEATH ” …More

Freakangels, Volume 1ByEllis, WarrenIllustrator Duffield, Paul2008-11 – Avatar Press9781592910564Check Our Catalog Twenty-three years ago, twelve strange children were born in England at exactly the same moment. Six years ago, the world ended. Today, eleven strange 23-year-olds live in and defend Whitechapel, maybe the last real settlement in flooded London. When a dazed, gun-toting girl appears on the outskirts with a deadly grudge against the self-proclaimed Freakangels, the kids realize that an old enemy is …More

Lazarus Volume 1 TpByRucka, GregAuthor Lark, MichaelIllustrator Lark, Michael2013-10 – Image Comics1607068095Check Our Catalog Collecting the first four issues of the Eisner-winning team of Rucka and Lark’s critically acclaimed new series about Forever Carlyle, the Lazarus of the Carlyle Family. Included is the previously only-available-online, four-page short, “Family: Prelude.” In a dystopian near-future, government is a quaint concept, resources are coveted, and possession is 100% of the law. A handful of Families …More

The Incal: The Epic Conspiracy – Volume 1ByJodorowsky, AlexandroIllustrator Moebius2005-02 – DC Comics1401206298Check Our Catalog Moebius, the internationally acclaimed illustrator of countless graphic novels and film designer for Alien, Blade Runner and The Fifth Element first influenced a generation with The Incal. John Difool, a low class detective in a degenerate world, finds his life turned upside down when he discovers an ancient artifact called “The Incal.”–Difool’s adventures will bring him into conflict with the …More

The True Lives of the Fabulous KilljoysByWay, GerardAuthor Simon, ShaunEditor Hahn, Sierra2014-05 – Dark Horse Comics9781595824622Check Our Catalog Years ago, the Killjoys fought against the tyrannical megacorporation Better Living Industries, costing them their lives, save for one–the mysterious Girl. Today, the followers of the original Killjoys languish in the Desert while BLI systematically strips citizens of their individuality. As the fight for freedom fades, it’s left to the Girl to take up the mantle and bring down the fearsome BLI …More

The WrenchiesByDalrymple, Farel2014-07 – First Second9781596434219Check Our Catalog Sherwood and Orson should never have gone into that cave. That day, a door was opened to a dark and profane realmNand Earth’s destiny was changed forever. Comics legend Dalrymple brings his literary and artistic powers to bear in this sprawling science-fiction graphic novel about regret, obsession, and the uncertainty of growing up. …More

V for VendettaByMoore, AlanIllustrator Lloyd, David2008-10 – Vertigo9781401208417Check Our Catalog In an alternate future in which Germany wins World War II and Britain becomes a fascist state, a vigilante named “V” tries to free England of its ideological chains. …More

When the Warrior was just a child, the beast mage Catwulf destroyed his village. Since then, the Warrior has become strong, and he will have his vengeance Joined by his trusty steed and friend Battlepug, a crazy loon, elite warrior Black Sasha, and a foul-mouthed child mage named Bryony, the group will not be denied revenge, but are they ready to meet on of the most powerful mages in the world in …More

Frustrated and frazzled by technology? Or perhaps your cynicism is starting to wane? “The Joy of Tech is just the boost you need to get a fresh and funny look at the geek world and restore your sense of humor along the way. With a style that’s simultaneously retro and modern, smart and sexy, “The Joy of Tech comics poke fun at the latest cultural and technological trends, including those mired …More

A young woman named Willow awakens to find herself on a mystical world with no memories of her former life. She soon discovers that not only are the residents of this world fantastical creatures of ancient lore, but the planet itself is alive and conscious… and in grave danger! Caught in the middle of a terrible struggle, Willow …More

Verily, the heroes of “Penny Arcade” return in the second volume of valiant chivalric deeds of brave heroism, heroic gallantry, and bravery. Collecting all the “Penny Arcade” strips posted online from 2001 and 2002, “Volume 2” includes creator commentary and a sketchbook section. …More

Twenty-three years ago, twelve strange children were born in England at exactly the same moment. Six years ago, the world ended. Today, eleven strange 23-year-olds live in and defend Whitechapel, maybe the last real settlement in flooded London. When a dazed, gun-toting girl appears on the outskirts with a deadly grudge against the self-proclaimed Freakangels, the kids realize that an old enemy is …More

In 2001, Rees began a comic strip on his Web site that depicted office workers and their vociferous and profane commentary on the so-called War on Terror. “Get Your War On” combines the original strips as well as new material created in the last three years. …More

The Industrial Revolution has become all-out war Mad Scientists, gifted with the Spark of genius, unleash insane inventions on an unprepared Europe. For centuries, the Heterodyne family of inventors kept the peace, but the last Heterodyne disappeared twenty years ago, leaving …More

Antimony Carver is a precocious and preternaturally self-possessed young girl starting her first year of school at gloomy Gunnerkrigg Court, a very British boarding school that has robots running around along side body-snatching demons, forest gods, and the odd mythical creature. The opening volume in the series follows …More

“Hark! A Vagrant” takes readers on a romp through history and literature–with dignity for few and cookies for all–with comic strips about famous authors, their characters, and political and historical figures, all drawn in Kate Beaton’s pared-down, excitable style. This collection features favorite stories as well as new, previously unpublished content. Whether she’s writing about Nikola Tesla, …More

Collects autobiographical, illustrated essays and cartoons from the author’s popular blog and related new material that humorously and candidly deals with her own idiosyncrasies and battles with depression. …More

Mayhem and possibly love await irrepressible Otaku, Piro, and his game-obsessed freakazoid friend, Largo, as they go on unexpected adventures while stranded in Japan in the first of Gallagher’s three-volume set. …More

The winner of the 2005 Eisner Award in the category of Best Digital Comic for the original Web version, “Mom’s Cancer” is now available as a graphic novel. It offers an honest, unflinching, and sometimes humorous look at the practical and emotional effect that serious illness can have on patients and their families. …More

Currently featured in over 50 alternative weeklies and college newspapers, “Red Meat” is quickly becoming one of the most popular alternative comic strips in the country. The official “Red Meat” Web site averages 30,000 page views a week. This collection offers readers a peek at the strip that’s caused all the commotion. …More

The “New York Times “bestseller, featured on the “Washington Post” best of 2015 list” “

Somewhere in my heart is a folder titled Things I Did Not Know I Wanted and it is full of Kate Beaton comics Sharp, charming, and weird, ” Step Aside, Pops” is a fine sampling of Beaton’s work, and I can’t recommend it enough. “NPR”

One of the funniest, most off-beat and original comic strips to come along in years–“User Friendly”–tells the story of Columbia Internet, a friendly, hardworking ‘Net service provider. This humorous title provides an outsiders lighthearted look at the world of the hard-core geek and allows those who make their living dwelling in this world a chance to laugh at themselves. …More

The inspiration behind the blockbuster movie, “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 2” once again uses classic characters from familiar literature to tell a tale of epic proportions in Victorian England. When alien invaders from Mars mercilessly attack London, the throne quickly calls upon the League to defend against the invasion with their various skills and intellect. …More

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black DossierByMoore, Alan and O’Neill, KevinCheck Our CatalogNow, after many years, the still youthful Mina Murray and a rejuvenated Allan Quatermain return and are in search of some answers that can only be found in a book buried deep in the vaults of their old headquarters, a book that holds the key to the hidden history of the League throughout the ages: The Black Dossier. …More

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume III: Century #2 1969ByMoore, Alan and O’Neill, KevinCheck Our CatalogTake a group of extraordinary literary figures like Allan Quartermain, Captain Nemo, Dr. Jekyll, the Invisible Man and Mina Harker and put them together to save England from its enemies. …More

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume III: Century #3 2009ByMoore, Alan and O’Neill, KevinCheck Our CatalogIn Chapter Three, the narrative draws to its cataclysmic close in London 2008. The magical child whose ominous coming has been foretold for the past hundred years has now been born and has grown up to claim his dreadful heritage. …More

September 2015 – Boxers and Saintsby Gene Luen Yang This month we will be discussing the companion pair of graphic novels put out by Gene Yang that look at the turbulent period of China’s Boxer Rebellion.

August 2015 – Fables by Bill Willingham This month we will discuss the Bill Willingham’s Fables series and its spin-offs, Jack of Fables and Fairest.

Because there are so many great Batman stories over the years, the following is an extensive but by no means exhaustive list. LFPL has many of these which can be found by searching our catalog.

Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth

Arkham Asylum: Living Hell

Batman and Robin

Batman Incorporated

Batman R.I.P.

Batman: A Death in the Family

Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying

Batman: Battle for the Cowl

Batman: Black and White

Batman: Blind Justice

Batman: Broken City

Batman: Cacophony

Batman: Cataclysm

Batman: City of Crime

Batman: Contagion

Batman: Dark Knight, Dark City

Batman: Dark Moon Rising

Batman: Dark Victory

Batman: Death and the Maidens

Batman: Face the Face

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight

Batman: Gotham Underground

Batman: Gothic

Batman: Haunted Knight

Batman: Hush

Batman: Knightfall

Batman: Last Rites

Batman: No Man’s Land

Batman: Officer Down

Batman: Red Rain

Batman: Rules of Engagement

Batman: Son of the Demon

Batman: Strange Apparitions

Batman: Tales of the Demon

Batman: Ten Nights of the Beast

Batman: The Cult

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Batman: The Killing Joke

Batman: The Last Arkham

Batman: The Long Halloween

Batman: The Man Who Laughs

Batman: Turning Points

Batman: Under the Hood

Batman: Venom

Batman: War Games

Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?

Batman: Year 100

Batman: Year One

Bruce Wayne: Fugitive

The Return of Bruce Wayne

June 2014 – 1986: A Watershed Year in Comics What an amazing year for comics. Like 1938 or 1961, comics were changed irrevocably in 1986. This is the year that many say is the beginning of the Dark Age of Comics. Here are some of the big titles of 1986:

There have been many, many influential women such as Elizabeth Holloway Marston, co-creator of Wonder Woman; Patricia Highsmith, writer of pulp comics (before finding success as a mystery writer); Jenette Kahn, former editor-in-chief of DC Comics; and Karen Berger, former executive editor of Vertigo Comics, among others. In March, we will be looking at the contributions of women in the comics industry, focusing on artists and writers. The following list is just a tiny smattering of those whose works can be found in LFPL’s collection:

Yes, some indies have made it big (such as Spawn or Hellboy) which muddies the waters.

However, a good rule of thumb is that if a comic is a) not one published by Marvel or DC, b) if it is creator-owned, or c) if it is a collection of comics that were originally born digital then it is most likely “indie.”